IceCube Startup and Construction Project

第一阶段的活动将与建造深冰中微子探测器IceCube（立方千米探测器）有关。 这是一个MREFC项目。 这些活动包括：1）建造可移动的增强型热水钻孔系统（EHWDS），包括所需的钻孔营地设施，其适于以每个钻孔季节至少16个孔的速率在南极的冰中以燃料有效的方式钻孔，直径为45厘米，深2.5公里，每个孔需要8000加仑的燃料; 3）数据采集和数据处理硬件和软件开发; 4）钻探系统和IceCube探测器阵列的建设和部署的系统工程; 5）所有系统的测试;以及6）相关管理系统的建立。 在进行这项工作时，将考虑到必须在南极的极端环境中可靠和安全地操作这一设备。 第一阶段的工作将为整个IceCube建设项目的实施奠定基础，该项目将部署80串64个光学模块（由光电倍增管和相关电子设备组成），每个模块将插入使用EHWDS钻出的孔中，冻结在冰中，并与相应的数据采集，数据处理和数据分析系统一起操作。 IceCube探测器阵列将通过其探测宇宙事件中高能中微子的能力，打开一扇了解宇宙及其起源和演化的新窗口。 教育将是整个IceCube项目的一部分，但不是第一阶段奖励的一部分。

Phase I activities associated with construction of a deep-ice neutrino detector known as IceCube (for cubic kilometer detector) will be carried out. This is an MREFC project. The activities include: 1) construction of a movable enhanced hot water drill system (EHWDS), including the needed drill camp facilities, suitable for drilling 45 cm diameter, 2.5 km deep holes in the ice at the South Pole at a rate of at least 16 holes per drilling season in a fuel efficient manner requiring 8000 gallons of fuel per hole; 2) construction of specialized detectors for in-ice applications; 3) data acquisition and data handling hardware and software development; 4) system engineering for construction and deployment of the drill system and IceCube detector array; 5) testing of all systems; and 6) establishment of associated management system. This work will be carried out taking into consideration the need to operate this equipment reliably and safely in the extreme Antarctic environment. This Phase I work will set the stage for implementation of the full IceCube construction project for deployment of 80 strings of 64 optical modules (consisting of photomultiplier tubes and associated electronics) each that are to be inserted into the holes drilled using the EHWDS, frozen into the ice, and operated in conjunction with a corresponding data acquisition, data handling, and data analysis system. The IceCube detector array will open a new window on the universe and its origin and evolution by its ability to detect high energy neutrinos from cosmological events. Education will be a part of the overall IceCube project, but is not a part of this Phase I award.